The Patient Navigation program is designed to prepare individuals to become patient navigators/patient advocates/community health assistants/community health workers/personal care coordinators (these are a few of the terms that healthcare institutions use to refer to patient navigators).

Professionals in the emerging field of patient advocacy, health education, wellness and community health collaborate with patients and clinicians to improve health outcomes. They steer patients successfully through the complex health care system and any subsequent treatment plans, while also possessing the skills necessary to safely and effectively follow patients across the care continuum.

The Patient Navigation specialization prepares professionals who understand the barriers to effective care, such as poverty, insurance communication and information barriers; maintain an understanding of current health care trends and issues, and guide patients, caregivers and family members through the prescribed course of treatment.

Patient Navigation professionals work hand-in-glove with patients, clinicians and administrators to ensure efficient and effective care is delivered.

"The Patient Navigation program at Misericordia has given me the opportunity to interact with patients in a variety of settings. I feel that I make a real impact on the participants."

Key Benefits and Highlights

Hybrid format for Majors - The Patient Navigation courses will be offered online to serve students as early as freshman year. The remainder of the coursework will be offered at Misericordia University in a variety of formats including online, traditional, and/or hybrid.

Features a fieldwork experience in which students observe, interact with patients and other health care professionals, participate in the effective progression of patients throughout the care process, and learn about effective patient-practitioner communications

Strong and growing market demand

Currently a 50% increase between 2016-2024 in the need for patient navigators in health care systems, insurance companies and physician offices.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) considers the field of patient navigation a “bright outlook’’ occupation because “it is projected to have a large number of job openings and is a new and emerging occupation,’’ according to the Occupational Information Network

In Pennsylvania, the state Department of Labor & Industry predicts an average of more than 1,300 job openings annually in patient navigation and related fields, according to Hanover Research.

Demonstrate a commitment to applying professional behaviors and adhering to ethical principles.

Students completing the BS in Health Science will:

Integrate and demonstrate knowledge of diverse research designs from both the qualitative and quantitative paradigms, and will conceptually synthesize and demonstrate all steps of the research process.

The minimum criteria for admission into the Bachelor of Science in Health Science: Patient Navigation Specialization program as a freshman student are:

Class rank in the top half of the high school graduating class and/or a cumulative 2.5 grade point average

Minimum SAT requirement of 850 (combined Math and Critical Reading) if taken prior to March 5, 2016, or a combined 930 if taken after March 5, 2016. In lieu of the SAT, the ACT results may be presented with a minimum required composite score of 18.

For transfer applicants, a minimum 2.0 overall GPA is required, and 15 credits are preferred (however, those with less than 15 credits are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis).

Please note the above listed requirements are general, and that each application is looked at thoroughly, taking into account individual grades, academic rigor, and other factors.